Alkaline earth fluoride and Eu3+ doped thin films obtained by electrochemical processing

In this study, alkaline earth fluorides (MF2) and MF2:Eu3+ doped (M = Mg, Ca, Sr) thin films were obtained by electrochemical processing. In order to figure out the optimized deposition conditions, several experiments were performed within specific electrodeposition potential ranges for each MF2 system. Results on the morphology, chemical composition, structural, and optical properties of MF2 and MF2:Eu3+ doped thin films are presented in this work. All samples were subjected to a thermal annealing process at 550 degrees C for 2 h in an N-2 atmosphere to improve the samples' crystallinity and to promote an increase in the photoluminescence response in MF2:Eu3+ (16.66 mol %) thin films. Photoluminescence studies were performed by using an excitation wavelength of 280 nm, and the CIE chromaticity diagram for MF2:Eu3+ (16.66 mol %) exhibits the expected red-light emission.